From roof space to a generating commercial solar system
A clear, structured ten-step process — from your first indicative calculation through to a fully commissioned system producing power on your roof.
Process at a glance
- 1Calculate your indicative savings
- 2Qualifying conversation
- 3Information gathering
- 4Finance review
- 5Desktop & site survey and design
- 6Detailed commercial proposal
- 7DNO application and planning
- 8Installation
- 9Commissioning and handover
- 10Generate, monitor and maintain
- 1
Calculate your indicative savings
Start with the free online calculator. In a couple of minutes you'll see an indicative system size, estimated annual generation, potential bill savings and a rough payback range — based on your postcode, roof area and current electricity spend. No obligation, no sales call required to get the numbers.
Outcome: Indicative system size, annual savings and payback range.
- 2
Qualifying conversation
A short discovery call with the commercial team to understand your business, site, energy profile and goals. We confirm roof ownership or landlord position, daytime usage patterns, planned site changes (EV charging, expansion, refrigeration) and whether self-funded or financed solar is the better starting point.
Outcome: A clear view of suitability and which proposal route fits.
- 3
Information gathering
We collect the inputs needed for an accurate proposal: 12 months of electricity bills or half-hourly data, postcode and site address, roof drawings or recent photos, age and construction of the roof, MPAN details and any existing DNO correspondence. Most clients send this by email — we'll guide what's essential vs. nice-to-have.
Outcome: A complete information pack ready for finance review and design.
- 4
Finance review
Before any desktop or site survey work begins, we confirm how the system will be paid for. Self-funded clients get a brief sign-off on budget and timing. For funded routes, we review suitable structures — asset finance, operating lease or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — and check lender eligibility and headroom against your figures. On suitable sites these can be structured so savings and generated income help cover the finance cost, making the system cashflow-positive from day one. Agreeing the funding route up front sets the system size brief, avoids wasted survey effort and means the design team is working to the right commercial envelope.
Outcome: A confirmed funding route and commercial envelope for design.
- 5
Desktop & site survey and design
With the funding route agreed, we move into survey and design. A desktop review of the roof, satellite imagery and structural information comes first; where required, a site visit then confirms roof condition, structural capacity, shading, cable routes, inverter and isolator locations and safe access. The design team models the array in 3D, runs a yield simulation against your actual consumption profile and sizes the system around self-consumption rather than just roof fill.
Outcome: A bespoke system design matched to your real usage.
- 6
Detailed commercial proposal
You receive a written proposal covering system specification, panel and inverter selection, projected annual generation, self-consumption vs. export split, year-by-year savings, lifetime value, CO₂ reduction and full pricing — built around the funding route already agreed at step 4. Warranty positions, monitoring options and assumptions are all stated clearly so the numbers can be challenged.
Outcome: A proposal you can take to your board or finance team.
- 7
DNO application and planning
We submit the G99 (or G98) application to your Distribution Network Operator to secure connection and export capacity, and check planning or permitted development position where relevant. Insurance, landlord consents and any pre-install structural sign-offs are coordinated before mobilisation.
Outcome: Grid approval and consents in place before any work starts.
- 8
Installation
The installation is planned around your operating hours to minimise disruption. A dedicated project manager runs scaffold or MEWP access, roof works, electrical install, inverter and isolator commissioning and final DC/AC sign-off. Health and safety, RAMS and on-site coordination are handled end-to-end.
Outcome: A fully installed, tested and commissioned system.
- 9
Commissioning and handover
Final testing, DNO notification, MCS or equivalent certification (where applicable) and handover of the O&M pack — including warranties, electrical certificates, system manuals and monitoring login. You'll see live generation data from day one.
Outcome: Certified system, full document pack and live monitoring.
- 10
Generate, monitor and maintain
Your system starts producing power, reducing reliance on the grid and supporting long-term savings. Optional remote monitoring flags performance issues early, and planned maintenance visits (panel cleaning, inverter checks, electrical inspections) protect long-term yield across the 25+ year asset life.
Outcome: Decades of generation, protected by ongoing performance care.